nessymon.com

Category: Film Review

  • A Better Life: Film Review

    ‘A Better Life’ is the heartfelt story of a gardener living with his American born son in Los Angeles. Despite his illegal status, Carlos (Demian Bichir) dreams of giving the teenage boy, played by José Julián, better opportunities than he ever had.

    Directed By Chris Weitz (About A Boy), the film beautifully shows the generational struggle between father and son and the reluctant inevitably of the son Luis, joining a local gang through peer pressure. Living in a one bedroom house, Carlos struggles to get the money together to start his own business and get on the road to a better life. When his hopes and dreams are dashed, it is then that the pair grow closer.

    We see the pain and anguish in Carlos and how the son, Luis, seemingly for the first time tries to understand his father as he teaches him that the way of the street is not the only way to live.

    This is a beautifully shot film and Demian Bichir is fantastic as Carlos (he even learned to climb those palm trees!). It’s everything a good movie should be. Interesting story, here, bringing the spotlight to the struggling illegal Mexican population of Los Angeles. It toys with a range of emotions and let’s you deeply connect with the characters. This is easily the best film I’ve seen this year.

    A Better Life will be showing in the IFI from July 29th  (more…)

  • Insidious: Movie Review

    insidiousDirected by James Wan

    Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey. Lin Shaye

    Cert: 16

    Running Time: 102mins

    Directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, Insidious is based around the Lamberts, a happy all American family who are moving into a new house, until their son becomes ill for no apparent reason. trapped in a coma that the medical profession can’t explain. Weird, explained things happen around the house, the family, again, move homes to try a fresh start but, well there’s always a but.

    Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne play the distressed parents who on the advice of his mother call her friend Elise (Lin Shaye) a paranormal specialist, who with the help of her ‘Ghostbuster’ buddies want to save their son Dalton from a dark realm called ‘The Further’. Josh must then go to ‘The Further’ to save his son. (more…)

  • Your Highness: Movie Review

    Your HighnessDirected by: David Gordon Green

    Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel

    Duration: 102 minutes

    Cert: 16

    Opens April 13th 2011

    Set the scene.. Two Princes, Fabious and Thadeous. Fabious (Franco) is a dashing hero, who goes on quests to keep his fathers kingdom safe. The stuff fairytales are made of. Thadeous, not so much. He’s a lazy ass who is quite happy with his life within the walls of his father’s kingdom.

    All that changes for Thadeous when his brothers bride-to-be was magically stolen from Fabious at their wedding. Together the two brothers, including a reluctant Thadeous, embark on a quest to find and save Belladonna (Deschanel) from the evil, Leezar (Justin Theroux) who wants to fulfil and ancient prophecy. Can Thadeous Man up and go from zero to hero? (more…)

  • Rewind: Movie Review

    rewind_poster_Directed by PJ Dillion, Rewind tells the story of Karen (Amy Huberman) a recovering addict, who has moved on with her life. Enter Karl (Allen Leech) her ex boyfriend who appears on the scene and turns her new life upside down. A roadtrip means Karen must make some decisions along the way in order to protect her new life and family.

    Huberman received ‘Best Actress’ at this year’s IFTAs for her role and it’s easy to see why. As Karen she puts in a commanding performance, torn between the past and the present. She shows herself off as a great actress, much more than we could ever see in The Clinic. There’s something about Allen Leech’s character that irks me from the start, you have a feeling this isn’t good, you want Karen to walk away, she can’t. (more…)